Aug 06, 2026  
2026-2027 Course Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Course Catalog
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AGV 170 - Veterinary Anesthesiology

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech
This course involves the study of pharmacology, application of anesthetic agents, the physiological effects and means of monitoring them, principles and administration of inhalant anesthetics, and a broad overview of anesthetic protocol and care. Emphasis will be on anesthetic practical skills and anesthesia equipment.
Prerequisite: AGV 109  , AGV 120  , AGV 128  , AGV 129  , AGV 231  , AGV 145  , AGV 151  , AGV 164  , AGV 165  , AGV 166  , AGV 245  , Acceptance as a DMACC Veterinary Technology Student.
Competencies
  1. Summarize considerations for anesthetic preparation in veterinary medicine
    1. Describe fundamental risks associated with anesthesia
    2. Demonstrate proper procedure for patient assessment
    3. Assign a patient one of the five physical status classifications as specified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists
    4. Calculate IV fluid infusion rates and prepare equipment for use with patients
  2. Operate veterinary anesthetic machines and carrier gas banks
    1. Troubleshoot the malfunction of a veterinary anesthesia machine, making proper adjustments
    2. Demonstrate set up and leak test of an anesthetic machine
    3. Understand the function of both rebreathing and non-rebreathing circuits
    4. Explain oxygen maintenance including calculation of oxygen flow rates, tank PSI, tank volume, and patient use rate
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of commonly used anesthetic agents and adjunct agents
    1. Classify the principal effects or chemistry of common anesthetic agents and adjuncts
    2. List anesthetic agents and adjuncts commonly used as pre-anesthetic medications and describe their indications, mode of action, effects, and adverse effects
    3. List the inhalation anesthetic agents in common use and describe their indications, mode of action, effect, adverse effects and use
    4. Show proper technique of administration of anesthetic agents by injection, mask, and endotracheal tube
    5. Organize and implement balanced anesthetic protocol on a canine or feline patient
  4. Compare and contrast concepts of analgesia
    1. Outline the pain pathway
    2. Illustrate ways to affect nociception
    3. Explain multimodal pain therapy
    4. List the consequences of untreated pain
    5. Describe the techniques used in local anesthesia
    6. Understand the differences between the two classes of neuromuscular blocking agents, including mode of action and reversibility
    7. Employ methods of balanced anesthetic technique
  5. Categorize the equipment used to monitor animals under sedation and/or anesthesia
    1. Explain the tracing of the ECG in small animal patients
    2. Perform endotracheal tube placement in the dog or cat using a laryngoscope
    3. Use the esophageal stethoscope to monitor small animal patients under sedation and/or anesthesia
    4. Discuss the information given by the capnograph relative to patient ventilation
    5. Explain the difference between assisted and controlled ventilation
    6. Recognize and react properly to equipment malfunctions 
  6. Compare and contrast anesthetic techniques specific to certain domestic large animal and exotic animal species

Competencies Revised Date: AY2027



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